10/13/09

Great for Large Groups

by MyDogIsSmarterThanYour HonorStudent

This is a spot I enjoy after-hours, usually in a smaller group or just 1:1, but I discovered Brits is great at group gatherings:

I work downtown and earlier this summer we had a group of 80+ people gathered for dinner, drinks and lawn bowling. We had our private party upstairs on the private patio and the weather was perfect. We had a great view of the other patrons and the bowling lawn.

The buffet offered a lot of variety and was delicious. Enough dessert was put out for everyone, but Brit's failed to realize how popular the cheesecake would be as several people wanted a second slice, it was so delicious.

We had a lot of compliments that this was a great venue as no one was forced to mingle with others; some chose to mix with drinks on the patio, I and others took our drinks and had a blast lawn bowling.

The service was excellent as well.

• Pros: Buffet Food/Staff/Location/Ambience

09/08/09

worst patio service ever

by CSMobileUser

the food was average, other than being cold. our server was busy but he did not try check back with us. he didn't try at all.. im sure he doesn't care he might not have a job in a month anyways. it gets cold up in minnesota.

04/12/09

Not going back for a while

by jl4c

I've gone to Brit's a fair number of times, but with my last couple of experiences, I know it's going to be a while before I return, which makes me sad.

The first time I went, everything was perfect. (Maybe I was just in lust with the place.) We had a short waiting time before getting a table. The waiter was friendly and knowledgeable. The food was fantastic. Even the atmosphere was pretty comfortable. The only downside was that the prices were a bit much for the amount of food we got.

The next time I went, it was for my 21st birthday. It still went pretty well. I called a couple hours ahead (since they don't take non-business reservations) to let them know that a party of about 10-15 would be showing up. And when some of us showed up, they sat us at a prepared table. They brought my remaining guests to the table without an issue as they (the guests) were able to show up. The waiter this time was alright, but not amazing; he might have been intimidated by the party's large size (though we were not rowdy, by any means). The food was good once again (I doubt that changes much) as was the beer and liquor.

The next time I went was for my 22nd birthday, since I was so impressed with my last experience. I followed the same method of calling ahead to let them know a group of about the same size would be showing up a couple hours later. This time when some of us showed up, they told us that they wouldn't seat us until everyone was present. However, I had some guests who wouldn't be able to show up until about an hour after the original festivities had started. I tried pleading with the hostess, but it was no good. She said we could sit at the bar until everyone arrived, but didn't understand that we would be waiting an hour to eat. Finally, one of my friends made the bold move of marching upstairs and pushing some tables together. Once that happened, we sat down and got served. As people arrived, they came and joined us. Food and beer still good, but the waiter was mediocre and my evening had been soured by the hostess.

I recently decided to try it one more time recently, and once again dealt with rude and unhelpful staff.

I love the food and I love the beer, but I can't put up with snobby staff that have bad attitudes when there are so many other places that offer the first without the latter.

• Pros: fantastic beer, good food
• Cons: service is inconsistent, parking, food prices a bit high

10/07/08

Grab a beer

by granville

great place to grab a beer after work. Seating outside was great for people watching and enjoying the summer weather. Good vibe in the bar, lots of beautiful people. Food was good and service was terrific.

08/08/08

Over Priced

by M2468

I've been to Brit's numerous times - it's a nice play to go for happy hour in the summer. I went there today for lunch and was absolutely blown away by how much the lunch cost me. A Stilton Burger and a Lemonade ran me $21.50 (with a 15% tip)! Pretty out of control for a place like Brit's, who I wouldn't necessarily classify as having 5 star cuisine. The other big dissapointment was the fact that they've shrunk their burgers down to the point where they're literally a quarter of an inch thick - seriously!

I've paid over $20 for lunch before, and do not have a problem doing so - but certainly not at a place like Brit's Pub, and not for the caliber of food they serve.

08/07/08

AVOID: Bad service...family unfriendly. Go and you'll be fleeced.

by k98031

AVOID! Very family unfriendly. Bad service....food ok. Brit's was a favorite years ago, so when relatives came in town and we found ourselves on Nicollet Mall, I encouraged a visit to Brit's for lunch. With three adults and three small children (6, 5 and 4) we ordered light with a couple appetizers, a sandwich and three miniscule (very) kids pizzas. The service was inexistent despite the restaurant being visibly staffed and lightly filled with patrons (lunch). Presented with the bill found they had kindly added a 17.5% gratuity. The tax was way off, so the waitress disappeared for the manager to show up. Asked about the tax, he reminded my that all the tax downtown was 12% (he thougfht) (not his fault...no big deal) now on food and the gratuity was mandatory. "It's on the menu...didn't you see it"? he asked. Okay...I get the parties of six or more...but kids??? Was delivering some pizza biscuits really in the spirit of the menu warning? And further..what ever happen to 15% which I always leave? "Oh it's always been 17.5 percent here"", he responded.

Enough of this place...I succumbeed to being fleeced with resolve never to venture back. Poor service...unfriendly, adequate food, yet highly overpriced. Save your money and go elsewhere. There are plenty of other choices in downtown Minne...especially on Nicollet that are overwhelmingly better.

09/24/07

Bad, Bad Place to Go!

by loringpark12

VERY BAD service... We had to get our own drinks.... We wanted to lawn bowl, and we were told to come back in a few hours.. Got there ahead of schedule and waiting to lawn bowl. They let an entire group of people go before us; then told us we couldn't bowl. I live downtown - 3 blocks from there actually and WILL NEVER go there again - - and will tell others to do the same.

08/17/07

Worst Service in Mpls

by ecv

Brit's has the potential to be fun....great atmosphere, superb location, beautiful summertime patio....and yet these assets are overshadowed by the most hideously sub-standard staff in the metro area. Perhaps this establishment is petitioning for the title of: "Worst Servers and Management in America!" If so, then congratulations, you're well on your way. Slow, lazy, rude, unapologetic for mistakes....these are some of the examples of the so-called "service" I have experienced when patronizing Brit's. The food is sub-par at best, and a word to the wise: don't go if you are excessively hungry or thirsty. It is possible that they place every food and drink order IN BRITAIN, given the amount of time it takes to receive your order. As a former frequent Brit's guest, I often forgave the atrocious service by way of a lovely summer evening on the patio, but really, enough is enough. No more rewarding bad business with my business.

• Cons: Service, service, service.

07/15/07

good for friends to go and relax and have a good time

by frizzipunk

i actually went solo and there was a lot of people there having a good time with their friends or family. i ordered the four cheese penne with breadcrumbs and pancetta - it was very rich and very delicious for pasta and cheese lovers. service was friendly but i did notice my waitress having to juggle a lot of tables. I didnt go outside to the lawn bowling but i saw it through the window and it looks like everyone was having a nice time. inside decor is cool.

• Pros: definite british-style menu

07/11/07

Great social bar downtown, busy on the weekends

by secretcritic

This place has many positive aspects - great place for after work happy hour, gathering for drinks in the evening, roof top bar with lawn bowling, very 'social'. Also very busy most of the time! Food is ok, it's british style shepherds pie, the scotch eggs are a tasty but unhealthy appetizer. Go here for drinks and then walk somewhere else for dinner. This is a great place to take an out of towner as it has atmosphere and lots of people.